Boy's push to ban shark finning gains steam

Massachusetts Senate approves shark-finning ban

Spurred to action by a 9-year-old boy, the state Senate has approved a bill that would outlaw shark finning in Massachusetts.

Advocates for the ban say shark fins are often removed for use in soup while the rest of the shark is thrown back in the sea, still alive. They call the practice inhumane.

Sean Lesniak of Lowell became interested in the subject several years ago and has been a driving force behind the bill. He watched Thursday's vote from the Senate gallery and raised his arms triumphantly when the bill passed.

Sean passed out stuffed sharks to lawmakers last month to promote the measure, which would ban the possession, sale or distribution of shark fins. Violators could face up to 60 days in jail or fines of up to $1,000 per fin.